CENTRAL LIBRARY of IIT BOMBAY, MUMBAI |
The Central Library of IIT Bombay is one of the India’s largest libraries of Science, Engineering and Technology. Located in the heart of the campus it is surrounded with lush greenery. The requirements consisted of horizontal & vertical extension, entire renovation, repairs and interiors with furniture. The 90,000 sft building accommodates over 500,000 excellent collection of books, journals and non-book material in science, engineering, technology, humanities, social sciences and management. The Library is core of Knowledge in this Academic Campus. So architecture is designed for inspiring environment and create a vibrant place of learning. Natural light is used to make pleasant ambiance in the entire building.
The Extension to building is planned to seamlessly integrate with existing building both externally and internally. The entire building is reorganized as open plan and for views across the various spaces and surrounding greens including the central courtyard. Easy circulation is organized aligning the movement of the existing with vertical extension and horizontally its a complete around the building like a circumambulation path. The vertical expansion at the top most floor is constructed in lightweight metal frame structure. It has external elevations with glazed walls for maximum natural lighting and external views of the landscape. All library administrative office functions are brought together. A Digital knowledge lab, Language lab, 24x7 reading hall, new Entrance hall are added to the existing building.
The Main Entrance is designed and added as an entry to the institutional public building. The circulation lobby is redesigned as a welcoming entrance hall. The open central Courtyard is provided with Café and landscaping for informal sitting and discussion on steps. The building except entrance lobby is air-conditioned with temperature conditions to preserve the books as well as create comfort conditions for the readers and visitors. The entire electrical, firefighting and network systems are also redesigned as complete new building. The architecture & interiors is a continuous dialogue between inside & outside, between architecture & nature, between users & natural light, between spaces inside and universe outside. The natural light, white color and pastel shades, textures & furniture is to create calm, peaceful & refreshing atmosphere.
The Extension to building is planned to seamlessly integrate with existing building both externally and internally. The entire building is reorganized as open plan and for views across the various spaces and surrounding greens including the central courtyard. Easy circulation is organized aligning the movement of the existing with vertical extension and horizontally its a complete around the building like a circumambulation path. The vertical expansion at the top most floor is constructed in lightweight metal frame structure. It has external elevations with glazed walls for maximum natural lighting and external views of the landscape. All library administrative office functions are brought together. A Digital knowledge lab, Language lab, 24x7 reading hall, new Entrance hall are added to the existing building.
The Main Entrance is designed and added as an entry to the institutional public building. The circulation lobby is redesigned as a welcoming entrance hall. The open central Courtyard is provided with Café and landscaping for informal sitting and discussion on steps. The building except entrance lobby is air-conditioned with temperature conditions to preserve the books as well as create comfort conditions for the readers and visitors. The entire electrical, firefighting and network systems are also redesigned as complete new building. The architecture & interiors is a continuous dialogue between inside & outside, between architecture & nature, between users & natural light, between spaces inside and universe outside. The natural light, white color and pastel shades, textures & furniture is to create calm, peaceful & refreshing atmosphere.